Raqqa, the erstwhile capital of ISIS, has been liberated. Here is the New York Times article reporting on the event: Raqqa, ISIS ‘Capital,’ Is Captured, U.S.-Backed Forces Say. Good news one would think. But think again, this is the Middle East that we are talking about. The pending defeat of ISIS means that the "shifting sands" of current alliances will shift. That process appears to have started.
Just a few days ago it was reported that Iraqi forces ousted Kurdish forces from Kirkuk. Not only that but the leaders of both Iran and Turkey have stressed opposition to the creation of an independent Kurdistan. This followed a non-binding referendum by the Kurds to establish and independent Kurdistan.
One would have hoped that the defeat of ISIS would be a step towards a more peaceful Middle East. Instead it appears that Iraq, Iran, and Turkey may begin to take coordinated military action to prevent the emergence of an independent Kurdistan. The Kurds deserve world support for an independent Kurdistan.
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